Free Summer Meals at Maui, Molokaʻi PALS Sites

Second graders Muzik Kekiwi Vares and Tayon Spencer eat breakfast at Kahului Community Center (KCC) PALS. Photo credit: County of Maui, Dept. of Parks and Recreation (Ryan Min).

The County of Maui’s Summer PALS (Play and Learn Sessions) program announced that through a federal program, all youth 18 years or younger are eligible to receive a free meal any weekday at PALS sites on Maui and Molokaʻi.

Children do not need to be enrolled in a PALS program to qualify for meals.

Meals are available to Maui and Molokaʻi keiki on a first-come, first-served basis during the PALS summer session, which runs June 7-July 15, 2016.

Parents or guardians should contact a PALS site coordinator; if unable to reach a site coordinator, please call the PALS office at (808) 270-7403.

Information will be provided on PALS locations offering meals, times of meal being offered, and instructions of how to participate in the meal count.

Three brothers from KCC PALS enjoy their meal: Koa (Kindergarten), Nalu (5th and Up) and Pono Akiona, a PALS volunteer. Photo credit: County of Maui, Dept. of Parks and Recreation (Ryan Min).

“Even though schools are closed for the summer, we are pleased to help ensure that no keiki go hungry,” said Ryan Min, PALS Recreation Specialist.

“We encourage families to utilize the free meals at PALS sites on Maui and Molokaʻi, which are approved areas by the federal standards.”

Many children in the County of Maui receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year, but many of these children do not get enough to eat when school is out.

The Summer Food Service Program, a federal program sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture, is designed to allow these children to continue to grow and learn during the summer.

The SFSP is made available to eligible areas to ensure that children receive nutritious meals; it is the largest federal resource available for local programs that combine meal-time with recreational and educational activities.

Anyone wishing to file a program complaint of discrimination may complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), which is available and at any USDA office or online; alternatively, they may write a letter addressed to the USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. To submit a completed form or letter to USDA by mail: US Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; via fax: (202) 690-7442; or by email: [email protected]. The PALS program is an equal opportunity provider.